Kukla's Korner Hockey

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk set the stage for a tough contract battle with Erik Karlsson by saying the 21-year-old defenceman will have to be “reasonable” in his contract demands.

In a year-end conference call with the Ottawa media on Monday, Melnyk said the Senators can’t go “toe-to-toe” in spending with the big-market teams, suggesting that players, and in particular Karlsson, will have to take a haircut to play in Ottawa.

“From our perspective everyone has to be reasonable,” he said.

“All we can offer is opportunity, and that is to be part of a great organization with a shot.